U.S. patent application number 12/292474 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-21 for apparatus and method for displaying broadcasting program guide information.
Invention is credited to Jin Man Choi.
Application Number | 20090133066 12/292474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40643363 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133066 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Choi; Jin Man |
May 21, 2009 |
Apparatus and method for displaying broadcasting program guide
information
Abstract
Provided are an apparatus and a method for displaying a
broadcasting program guide information. This application is for
displaying the broadcasting program guide information by enlarging
an area of a screen corresponding to a predetermined identifier or
a blank area on the screen, and thereby outputting the program
guide information.
Inventors: |
Choi; Jin Man;
(Pyeongtaek-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
40643363 |
Appl. No.: |
12/292474 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
725/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4312 20130101;
H04N 21/4314 20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; H04N 5/44543 20130101;
H04N 21/4821 20130101; H04N 21/4438 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
725/40 |
International
Class: |
H04N 5/445 20060101
H04N005/445 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 20, 2007 |
KR |
10-2007-0118702 |
Oct 23, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0104417 |
Claims
1. A controller implemented method in a receiving apparatus for
providing program guide information, the receiving apparatus
configured to perform a method comprising: causing a predetermined
identifier or a blank area in a corresponding area of a program
guide screen to be generated if the program guide information to be
displayed cannot be displayed in the corresponding area because the
program guide information is more than the predetermined number of
characters or is less than a predetermined program time allowed for
the corresponding area; and causing an area corresponding to the
identifier or the blank area to enlarge in order to provide the
program guide information in that area if a user input associated
with the identifier or the blank area is received.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging the corresponding area in at least one direction to a
left or right area of a corresponding channel in order to display
the program guide information in the corresponding area.
3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising
restrictively enlarging the area so that the program guide
information can be displayed with at least a plurality of other
program guide information that can be displayed within the program
guide screen.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein when two other program
guide information among the other plurality of program guide
information can be displayed in two areas of the channel, causing
the enlarged area in which the program guide information
corresponding to the identifier or the blank area to be displayed
to be located in the middle area.
5. The method according to claim 4, further comprises causing the
middle area to be restrictively enlarged so that other program
guide information at the left or right area can be displayed.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received and
the area associated with the identifier or the blank area is
enlarged so that the program guide information can be displayed,
adjusting a time interval previously corresponding to the
identifier or the blank area so that the adjusted time interval
corresponds with the enlarged area.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging all areas of a corresponding channel.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging the area corresponding to the identifier or the blank
area and at least all areas of other channels.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging all areas of a corresponding channel, and adjusting a
time interval to correspond with the enlarged areas of the
channel.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging all channel areas in the program guide screen.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
adjusting time intervals of all channels to correspond to the
enlarged areas of all channels.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging the area associated with the identifier or the blank area
so that the program guide information can be displayed, and
adjusting a previous time unit in a previous time interval
corresponding to the identifier or the blank area into a time unit
suitable for the enlarged area.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the user input
associated with the identifier or the blank area is received,
enlarging the area associated the identifier or the blank area so
that the program guide information can be displayed along with a
time interval suitable for the enlarged area.
14. A controller implemented method in a receiving apparatus for
providing program guide information, the receiving apparatus
configured to perform a method comprising: causing an electronic
program guide (EPG) having an identifier to be displayed; receiving
information that a cursor is on a position of the identifier;
causing the identifier to be replaced with an enlarged area
sufficient to display the program guide information in a time axis;
and causing the enlarged area to be replaced with the identifier
again if information is received that the cursor moved out of the
enlarged area.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the enlarged area
automatically replaces the identifier when information that the
cursor is on the identifier is received.
16. The method according to claim 14, further comprises adjusting
other area in a corresponding channel or adjusting an area in
another channel to correspond to an adjusted time interval caused
by the enlarged area.
17. A broadcasting apparatus for displaying program guide
information, the apparatus comprising: a tuner to receive a
broadcasting signal; a decoder to decode a voice and image signal
including program guide information from the broadcasting signal
received through the tuner; a receiver to receive a user input
information; and a controller configured to process program guide
information based on predetermined screen configuration information
that includes a predetermined identifier or a blank area based on a
determination result of whether the program guide information can
be displayed in an allocated area or not, and an area corresponding
to the identifier or the blank area that can be enlarged to display
the program guide information when the receiver receives the user
input information.
18. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when
the receiver receives the user input information associated with
the identifier or blank area, the controller is configured to
enlarge the corresponding area in at least one direction to a left
or right area of a corresponding channel in order to display the
program guide information in the corresponding area.
19. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the
controller is configured to restrictively enlarge the area so that
the program guide information can be displayed with at least a
plurality of other program guide information that can be displayed
within the program guide screen.
20. The broadcast apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the
receiver receives user input information associated with the
identifier or the blank area, the controller is configured to
enlarge the area associated with the identifier or the blank area
so that the program guide information can be displayed, and
adjusting a time interval previously corresponding to the
identifier or the blank area so that the adjusted time interval
corresponds with the enlarged area.
21. The broadcast apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the
receiver receives user input information associated with the
identifier or the blank area, the controller is configured to
enlarge the area associated the identifier or the blank area so
that the program guide information can be displayed, and adjusts a
previous time unit in a previous time interval corresponding to the
identifier or the blank area into to a time unit suitable for the
enlarged area.
22. The broadcast apparatus according to claim 17, wherein when the
receiver receives user input information associated with the
identifier or the blank area, the controller is configured to
enlarge an area associated the identifier or the blank area so that
program guide information can be displayed along with a time
interval suitable for the enlarged area.
23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the program guide
information is displayed by enlarging the area corresponding to the
identifier or the blank area in a time axis.
24. The broadcasting apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the
program guide information is displayed by enlarging the area
corresponding to the identifier or the blank area in a time axis.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2007-0118702
filed on Nov. 20, 2007 and 10-2008-0104417 filed on Oct. 23, 2008,
which are hereby incorporated by references in their
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a apparatus and a method
for displaying broadcasting program guide information.
[0003] A typical digital television can display additional data in
its screen besides voice/image information. Therefore, multimedia
added services such as diverse real time information (e.g.,
information related to broadcasting programs, stocks, the foreign
exchange rate, and a weather forecast) and internet contents become
possible.
[0004] Multimedia broadcasting displays currently broadcasted TV
programs and additional information on a TV screen simultaneously
through multimedia forms including images, voices, and various
data. Therefore, TV viewers can selectively watch information they
want.
[0005] Especially, since an electronic program guide (EPG) is
provided as a TV broadcasting program schedule in a TV information
screen, TV viewers can conveniently select a program by a time
interval, a channel, and a broadcasting station.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a view of a general EPG screen.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, program guide information includes
channel information (also a broadcasting station) and broadcasting
information (program title information broadcasting/to be
broadcasted) based on air time, data, and time interval.
[0008] As shown in an EPG screen 100 of FIG. 1, various program
guide information 101 broadcasted between 14:30 and 15:30 is
displayed by a 30 min interval, and there are blank areas 107 and
109 (i.e., no contents) between a BBC TWO channel 103 and a BBC
NEWS 24 channel 105.
SUMMARY
[0009] Embodiments provide an EPG screen where program guide
information including all program titles is identified.
[0010] Embodiments provide an EPG screen set to display a
predetermined identifier in a corresponding area or a blank area if
the predetermined minimum information (e.g., at least one
character) cannot be displayed in the corresponding area of the EPG
screen.
[0011] Embodiments display program guide information with at least
a corresponding area enlarged if a user command accesses a
predetermined identifier or a blank area or is inputted in the
identifier or the blank area.
[0012] In embodiments, when a user command is inputted or accesses
the identifier or the blank area, a predetermined time interval is
adjusted and according thereto, at least an identifier or a blank
area is enlarged to display program guide information.
[0013] In embodiments, a predetermined time interval is adjusted
less when a user command is inputted or accesses an identifier or a
blank area, and corresponding thereto, at least the identifier or
the blank area is enlarged to display a program title enlarged and
the time interval adjusted less.
[0014] In one embodiment, a method for displaying program guide
information includes: displaying the program guide information in
each area of a program guide screen; displaying a predetermined
identifier or a blank area in a corresponding area if the program
guide information to be displayed cannot be displayed in the area
because the program guide information is more than the
predetermined number of characters or is less than a predetermined
program time; executing the program guide screen; confirming
whether the predetermined identifier or the blank area is displayed
in an area of the program guide screen or not; and displaying the
program guide information by expanding the identifier or the blank
area in a time axis if a user command is inputted into or accesses
the identifier or the blank area based on the confirmation
result.
[0015] The program guide information may be displayed in each area
of the EPG screen by a time interval including at least a minute
and a channel/broadcasting station.
[0016] In another embodiment, a broadcasting apparatus for
displaying program guide information includes: a tuning unit
receiving a broadcasting signal; a decoding unit decoding a voice
and image signal including program guide information by decoding
the broadcasting signal received through the tuning unit; an input
unit inputting user control information; a receiving unit receiving
the user control information; a control unit configured to output
program guide information by a broadcasting program or a channel,
which is received from the decoding unit 206, based on
predetermined screen configuration information, output the program
guide information as a predetermined identifier or a blank area
based on a determination result of whether the program guide
information can be displayed in a corresponding area or not, and
display the program guide information with the corresponding area
enlarged if a user command is inputted into or accesses the
identifier or the blank area; and an output unit outputting the
program guide information.
[0017] The enlarging of the area may be automatically performed by
adjusting a predetermined time interval to be less.
[0018] The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the
accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features
will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a view of a general EPG screen.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
receiving apparatus for providing EPG according to an
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a view when an identifier 306 is displayed because
program title information among program guide information cannot be
displayed in an area 304.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a corresponding enlarged area
310 of the area 302 of the channel 302 when a user command is
inputted to or accesses the identifier 306 of FIG. 3.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a case where an area 312 with
the identifier of the channel 302 and areas of all other channels
are enlarged when a user command is inputted to or accesses the
identifier 306 of FIG. 3.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an area 316 where all areas of
a corresponding channel 302 are enlarged when a user command is
inputted to or accesses the identifier 306 of FIG. 3.
[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates a comparative embodiment with respect to
FIG. 4 and also illustrates a case where only the area 304 of the
corresponding channel 302 in FIG. 4 is enlarged to an area 320
overlapping another area when a user command is inputted to or
accesses the identifier 306 of FIG. 3.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a view when FIG. 3 changes into FIG. 4 according
to an embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates case where program guide information is
displayed while an enlarged area 321 overlaps an existing another
area 322.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying
program guide information having a short broadcasting time in an
EPG screen.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating when program guide
information is displayed by enlarging an area where the program
guide information cannot be displayed according to another
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] Hereinafter, an electronic program guide (EPG) method and
apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0031] First, an enlargement of an identifier or a blank area for
displaying program guide information is executed by at least one of
the followings.
[0032] 1) only an area of a corresponding channel is enlarged.
Additionally, a time interval area is subdivided and displayed
corresponding to the enlarged area. An area can be enlarged
corresponding to the subdivision of the time interval area (i.e.,
smaller than before).
[0033] 2) an area is enlarged in at least one direction of the left
or right with respect to an area of a corresponding channel.
Accordingly, an adjacent area is shifted or overlapped by the
enlarged area.
[0034] 3) all areas of a corresponding channel are enlarged in the
left or/and right direction.
[0035] 4) all areas of all channels are enlarged. Additionally,
time intervals of the all channels are subdivided and displayed in
order to correspond to the enlarged area. All areas may be enlarged
corresponding to the subdivision of the time interval area.
[0036] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating components of a
receiving apparatus for providing EPG according to an
embodiment.
[0037] Referring to FIG. 2, the receiving device 200 includes a
control signal input unit 202, a tuning unit 204, a decoding unit
206, an image processing unit 208, a display unit 210, a storage
unit 212, an audio processing unit 214, a receiving unit 218, and a
control unit 216. The receiving unit 218 receives a control signal
from the external such as a remote control.
[0038] In more detail, the tuning unit 204 receives a broadcasting
signal. The decoding unit 206 decodes a voice and image signal
including program guide information by decoding the broadcasting
signal received through the tuning unit 204. The input unit 202
inputs user control information. The receiving unit 218 receives
the user control information through a remote control. The control
unit 216 is configured to output program guide information by a
broadcasting program or a channel, which is received from the
decoding unit 206, based on predetermined screen configuration
information, is configured to output the program guide information
as a predetermined identifier or a blank area based on a
determination result of whether the program guide information can
be displayed in a corresponding area or not, and is configured to
display the program guide information with the corresponding area
enlarged if a user command is inputted into or accesses the
identifier or the blank area. The output units 210 and 220 output
the program guide information.
[0039] Based on the above configuration, the tuning unit 204
selects a broadcasting channel a user wants. The decoding unit 206
decodes a broadcasting signal inputted through the selected
broadcasting channel. The image processor 208 scales an image
signal, decoded in the decoding unit 206, and processed
broadcasting information to be displayed on the display unit
210.
[0040] The display unit 210 displays the processed image and/or EPG
information.
[0041] The storage unit 212 stores the received image or/and EPG
information. The control signal input unit 202 receives a control
signal from a local menu key attached to an image display device,
i.e., a receiving device, or a remote control.
[0042] The control unit 216 controls a user command to select a
broadcasting program with an identifier from the EPG information
displayed in the display unit 210 according to the control signal
inputted from the control signal input unit 202, and enlarges an
area assigned to a corresponding program when the program with an
identifier is selected to display program guide information. That
is, the control unit 216 controls the Above-mentioned overall
displaying operations.
[0043] Moreover, the control unit 216 detects that a cursor (i.e.,
a user indicator) as a user command moves to a program with an
identifier and then automatically controls enlarging of an
information displaying area if the corresponding cursor is on the
program with an identifier.
[0044] Additionally, if the cursor moves to another broadcasting
program again, the control unit 216 maintains the displayed area or
controls restoring the originally displayed area size again.
[0045] While enlarging the corresponding area, an area allocated to
a corresponding channel can be expanded by subdividing a
broadcasting time shorter in an area allocated based on a
broadcasting time, or regardless of the broadcasting time, an area
assigned to a corresponding channel or all channels can be
enlarged. Additionally, by expanding a corresponding area of a
program having an identifier even in the same channel, the next
program guide information can be shifted back or information about
the program having an identifier can overlap the next program guide
information.
[0046] FIGS. 3 to 8 are views illustrating an EPG screen that shows
program guide information through enlargement of an area with an
identifier based on various methods according to an embodiment.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a view when an identifier 306 is displayed because
program title information among program guide information cannot be
displayed in an area 304 of a specific time interval during a
broadcasting time 308 of a specific channel 302 (e.g., BBC
TWO).
[0048] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a corresponding enlarged area
310 of the area 302 of the channel 302 when a user command is
inputted to or accesses the identifier 306 of FIG. 3.
[0049] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a case where a predetermined
broadcasting time is subdivided (e.g., 30 min->10 min) and
corresponding thereto, an area 312 with the identifier of the
channel 302 and areas of all other channels are enlarged when a
user command is inputted to or accesses the identifier 306 of FIG.
3.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an area 316 where all areas of
a corresponding channel 302 are enlarged when a user command is
inputted to or accesses the identifier 306 of FIG. 3. Additionally,
besides an existing broadcasting time 308, a subdivided time 318 is
shown to correspond to the enlarged area 316. In all embodiments
herein, a broadcasting time can be subdivided in order to
correspond to an enlarged area, or an area can be enlarged in order
to correspond to the subdivided time.
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a comparative embodiment with respect to
FIG. 4 and also illustrates a case where only the area 304 of the
corresponding channel 302 in FIG. 4 is enlarged to an area 320
overlapping another area when a user command is inputted to or
accesses the identifier 306 of FIG. 3.
[0052] FIG. 8 is a view when FIG. 3 changes into FIG. 4 according
to an embodiment.
[0053] As shown in the drawings, only a program area 306 with an
identifier 304 in a corresponding channel is enlarged such that
program guide information is displayed in an enlarged area 310 and
the next program guide information is shifted back.
[0054] FIG. 9 illustrates a comparative embodiment with respect to
FIG. 7 and also illustrates a case where program guide information
is displayed while an enlarged area 321 overlaps an existing
another area 322.
[0055] An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described
with reference to the Above-mentioned drawings.
[0056] FIGS. 3 and 4 are views of an EPG screen where an identifier
is displayed according to an embodiment.
[0057] First, enlargement of an area with an identifier or a blank
area is executed only when a user selects or accesses a
corresponding area.
[0058] The identifier is displayed only when a program title cannot
be displayed and a user can set the number of characters to be
displayed in advance. For example, if there is an area where one
character cannot be displayed, the identifier (it is assumed that
the identifier is less than one character) or a blank area will be
displayed. Additionally, the dimension of the area is formed
corresponding to the subdivided time interval.
[0059] Additionally, even when a program area is enlarged, it is
restrictively enlarged in order to display a plurality of areas
displaying program guide information of a corresponding channel. If
there are three areas, the enlarged program area is positioned on
the middle and other program areas are positioned on the left/right
areas.
[0060] In this case, another area can be shifted back or an
enlarged area can overlap another area according to various
embodiments. Also, an enlarged area can be positioned on the left
area and all other areas can be positioned on the right area.
[0061] Additionally, according to channel or broadcasting station
classification mentioned in the present disclosure, if one
broadcasting station broadcasts more than one channel, it will be
displayed with channel/broadcasting station classification, but if
not, it substantially has the same meaning.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, EPG screen information 300 includes at
least one channel (i.e., 1 channel to 7 channel) and a broadcasting
time 308 set by a 30 min interval.
[0063] That is, the broadcasting time 308 in a horizontal direction
represents a time axis and in a vertical direction represents a
channel axis.
[0064] If a BBC TWO 302 of a channel 2 is exemplified, there is an
identifier having a symbol instead of a program title having a
short broadcasting time in an area next to a program title
"Racing"
[0065] The symbol is just one example, and is an identifier 306
representing that there is a certain program in a corresponding
area.
[0066] If the identifier is displayed, it can be easily determined
whether there is a certain program corresponding to that area or
not in an initial EPG screen.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, a user moves a cursor (a kind of a user
indicator) to the identifier 306 in order to identify what kind of
program exists in that area, the display area 304 of FIG. 3
allocated to a program having a short broadcasting time becomes a
lengthened area 310.
[0068] That is, the corresponding area 304 expands in the time axis
and displayed, and a broadcasting guide next to the corresponding
area is shifted to the right.
[0069] Additionally, there is no display time change in the time
axis, which is displayed by a 30 min interval.
[0070] If the area 304 is enlarged, will disappear automatically,
and the time bar, i.e., the allocated display area 310, will
lengthens. Therefore, it will be identified that there is an actual
program with a title "Breaking News".
[0071] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a case where a change is
applied to only a corresponding area of the BBC TWO 302 and there
is no change in the broadcasting time 308.
[0072] If there is no change in the time axis in FIG. 4 or if a
corresponding area expands in the time axis and is displayed, it is
possible to allow a change to display an ending time of a
corresponding program. That is, if a starting time of the "Breaking
News" is 14:35 and its ending time is 14:45, the right end portion
of the displayed "Breaking News" can display 14:45 in the time
axis.
[0073] However, as illustrated in FIG. 5, if a broadcasting time
interval is divided by 1 min, 5 min, and 10 min instead of 30 min
like FIG. 4, according thereto, a display area of a corresponding
program will be enlarged.
[0074] While enlarging an area, various embodiments are possible
like the above. That is, it is possible that enlargement may be
applied to only one channel, all channels, or all broadcasting
time.
[0075] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a process of displaying
program guide information having a short broadcasting time in an
EPG screen.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 10, once a power is inputted in the
receiving device 200 in operation S1000, an EPG execution command
is inputted to obtain broadcasting program guide information in
operation S1002, and EPG information is displayed in a display
screen like FIG. 3 in operation S1004.
[0077] A user identifies an identifier which shows that there is an
area where program guide information cannot be displayed in the EPG
screen because of the program guide information has a short
broadcasting time. Then, the user moves a cursor to identify the
program guide information (e.g., a program title) of the
corresponding area with the identifier in operation S1006.
[0078] If the user moves the cursor on the area with the identifier
or inputs a select command to see corresponding program guide
information in operation S1008, the identifier automatically
disappears and a time bar of an area allocated to the corresponding
program becomes longer to display a program title in operation
S1110.
[0079] In general, the length of the time bar is proportional to a
predetermined time.
[0080] If the cursor positioned on the program moves on another
program in operation S1112, the control unit displays the
identifier again on the area assigned to the program, and restores
the original dimension of the area again in operation S1114.
[0081] On the other hand, unlike the above case where it is
automatically restored to the original dimension, it can be
restored to an original dimension only when the corresponding
program is selected again and if not, it remains as it is.
[0082] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating when program guide
information is displayed by enlarging an area where the program
guide information cannot be displayed according to another
embodiment.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 11, an EPG screen is divided into a
plurality of areas to display program guide information about
channels in operation S1101. The dimension of each area set above
can be determined by the sizes of programs outputting/to be
outputted (i.e., corresponding to a playing time in general) or can
be determined by a data size. The control unit determines the size
of the program according to the received and decoded data.
Therefore, the control unit allocates an area dimension based on
the program time. Of course, if there is no program time
information, area dimension and display are changed based on user
setting.
[0084] If program guide information cannot be displayed in a
predetermined area with the predetermined number of characters
(e.g., one character), or an area for program guide information is
less than a predetermined program time interval, the predetermined
identifier or a blank area is set to be displayed in a
corresponding area in operation S1103.
[0085] A receiving device is turned on to execute an EPG screen in
operation S1105.
[0086] If there is the identifier or blank area in the EPG screen
in operation S1107, in a case where a user command is inputted into
or accesses the corresponding area, the identifier or blank area is
enlarged to display program guide information in operation
S1109.
[0087] The above-mentioned various methods are applied to realize
various enlargement embodiments.
[0088] All situations where a user command is inputted into or
accesses the identifier or the blank area represents the same
operation. The operation contains all operations for displaying
program guide information in the identifier/blank area or all
operations reflecting a user's intention.
[0089] As mentioned above, in order to display program guide
information according to the present disclosure, program guide
information including a program title is set to be displayed in
each area of a program guide display, and a predetermined
identifier or a blank area is set to be displayed in a
corresponding area when program guide information to be displayed
cannot be displayed because the information is larger than the
predetermined number of characters (e.g., one character) or the
program to be displayed is less than a predetermined time interval
(e.g., less than 30 min). Then, a user executes the program guide
screen.
[0090] At this point, based on a confirmation result about whether
the predetermined identifier or the blank area is displayed in a
program guide screen, if a user command is inputted to the
identifier or the blank area (including a case where a user command
accesses the identifier or the blank area), the area is enlarged to
display program guide information through the device and method of
the present disclosure.
[0091] Accordingly, while displaying an EPG screen, when a
predetermined broadcasting time needs to be set longer (e.g., more
than 30 min) in order to display broadcasting program guide
information in one screen, a user can identify whether there is a
program or not by assigning a position identifier to program guide
information having a short broadcasting program time(less than 5
min, 10 min, and 30 min). Additionally, if a user command is
directly/indirectly inputted in a corresponding area position, an
EPG screen can easily display short broadcasting program guide
information by expanding an area allocated to the corresponding
program in order to easily identify detailed information.
[0092] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
* * * * *